AP Psychology Practice Test

What is a prototype?

1. A methodical rule for solving any problem

2. A rule-of-thumb strategy for efficient problem-solving

3. The best example of a category for easy item inclusion

4. The process of misattributing events to incorrect sources

The correct answer is: The best example of a category for easy item inclusion

A prototype refers to the best example or cognitive representation of a category that helps individuals classify new items or concepts efficiently. By using a prototype, we can quickly determine whether an item belongs to a particular category based on how closely it aligns with our mental representation of that category's typical member. For instance, when thinking of the category "bird," a robin might serve as a prototype because it embodies the characteristics most commonly associated with bird-like qualities. In contrast, other options represent different cognitive concepts. For instance, a methodical rule for problem-solving relates to algorithms, which provide step-by-step solutions but may not invoke the idea of prototypes. A rule-of-thumb strategy is associated with heuristics, which are shortcuts that often simplify problem-solving but again do not specifically pertain to prototypes. Lastly, misattributing events to incorrect sources typically describes the phenomenon of misattribution in memory, which is unrelated to the concept of prototypes.